EXCLUSIVE: Banking Chair Sherrod Brown says SAFER Banking “a high priority”

Who?Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) — Chair, Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee LISTEN: Sen. Sherrod Brown Ask a Pol asked:How big of a priority is taking up the SAFER Banking Act in this Congress?Key Brown: “It’s a high priority,” Brown exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “[Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer wants to do it. I want to do it. [Ranking Republican Sen. Tim] Scott's not up for it, but plenty of members of the committee are.”Vice President Kamala Harris’ marijuana summit? “I don't make much of it, because I didn’t know about it,” Brown says. Ask a Pol is a reader-supported startup. Please, support our independent journalism!Ever talked to the Vice President about SAFER? “I’ve actually not,” Chair Brown tells Ask a Pol.Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s exclusive interview with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), slightly edited for clarity.TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Sherrod Brown SCENE: Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo is exiting a Senate elevator in the Capitol’s basement as Chair Brown and a staffer are entering the elevator, so Laslo tells Brown he’s staying on for their ride as he turns his mic on. Matt Laslo: “Going back up.” Sherrod Brown: “What an honor.” They laugh. ML: “What do you…”A Senate attendant directs traffic — “head to the left” — outside the bank of elevators in the Capitol basement. ML: “Vice President Harris, have you ever talked to her about SAFER Banking?” SB: “I’ve actually not.” ML: “What’d you make of her marijuana summit?” SB: “Her what?” ML: “She had a marijuana summit last Friday.” SB: “I didn’t know about it.” ML: “No?” SB: “So I guess I don't make much of it, because I didn’t know about it.” ML: “Did you…”SB: “We passed legalization in Ohio, as you know, by a wide margin.” ML: “How big of a priority is SAFER?” SB: “It’s a high priority.” ML: “Yeah?” SB: “Schumer wants to do it. I want to do it. [Ranking Republican Sen. Tim] Scott's not up for it, but plenty of members of the committee are.”Brown talking to his aide as they reach the Senate chamber. SB: “I’ll be right here.” Brown aide: “Alright, meet you over there.” Brown heads in to cast a vote. ML: “Preciate ya.” Matt Laslo’s covered drug policy for Playboy, Rolling Stone, VICE News Tonight, Daily Beast, VICE News, etc. He’s also a new media prof. & the founder of Ask a Pol — a new, people-powered press corps.Ask a Pol — asking your lawmakers your questions at your US Capitol. @AskaPol_drugs Content posted at AskaPol.com is copyrighted. Use our original content to move the story forward. And, please, link to us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.askapoluaps.com/subscribe